Mayhem make history by announcing Leo Thomas as head coach

by Cam Gaskins

The Macon Mayhem announced Wednesday that former assistant coach Leo Thomas will be the team's second head coach/Courtesy Macon Mayhem

MACON, Ga. -- For the first time in the history of the Southern Professional Hockey League, one of the league's teams will have an African-American coach. The Macon Mayhem announced today that former assistant coach Leo Thomas would be the team's second head coach.

This news comes just one day after the team announced former head coach Kevin Kerr's departure to pursue another coaching opportunity.

Thomas has been an assistant with the Mayhem for the past two seasons. Macon won the President's Cup in Thomas' first year as an assistant in 2016-17. The team went 70-29-13 during his time as an assistant.

The 36-year-old from Toronto, Ontario played 777 games of professional hockey across 13 seasons. He spent time in the American Hockey League, the East Coast Hockey League, and the SPHL among other leagues. He finished his playing career with 260 goals, 299 assists, and 559 points.